CEWAS
cewas Middle East is a non-profit regional programme supporting water, sanitation, and waste entrepreneurship across Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq through start-up incubation, training, and bilingual Arabic-English knowledge tools, funded primarily by SDC.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersAmman, Jordan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CEWAS does
cewas Middle East is a non-profit regional programme, affiliated with the Swiss-based cewas organization, that supports entrepreneurship and capacity-building in the water, sanitation, and waste (WASH) sector across the Middle East. Operating in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq, it recruits aspiring entrepreneurs, young professionals, ICT experts, and existing WASH-adjacent organizations through country-specific start-up programmes, hackathons, short training workshops, and university partnerships. The core delivery model is direct in-country programming: multi-month incubations comprising four training modules (Solutions & Strategy, Market Research & Testing, Marketing & Finance, Pitching & Networking), supported by individual coaching, mentor matching, and pitching events with up to $15,000 USD in seed funding for top teams.
The organization does not develop proprietary technology products. Its core assets are curated, bilingual Arabic-English knowledge resources delivered through training, coaching, and community facilitation: the Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management (SSWM) Toolbox; the SSWM in Humanitarian Crises Toolbox containing more than 170 bilingual factsheets; the Arabic translation of Eawag's Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies; and the Integrity Management Toolbox co-developed with the Water Integrity Network. It also operates the SuSanA West Asia and North Africa (WANA) regional chapter as an Arabic-language community platform, and runs humanitarian-context projects such as The Urinal Project and the Blue Peace Media Lab in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
cewas Middle East is funded almost entirely by international development donors. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the primary disclosed funder supporting multiple country programmes and training activities, with GIZ as a co-funder of the humanitarian WASH knowledge tools. Most programmes and short trainings are delivered free of charge to participants; a small number of trainings charge fees, such as the SSWM Training in Amman offered at 250 JOD with limited scholarships. There is no commercial product or SaaS revenue. Outcomes to date include approximately 35 start-ups trained in Jordan (2017–2019), about 15 start-ups incubated in Palestine (2015–2017), and 10–15 start-up teams per cohort in Lebanon and Jordan programmes.
CEWAS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CEWAS
- Legal name
- cewas Middle East
- Website
- https://cewasmiddleeast.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- cewas Middle East is a non-profit regional programme supporting water, sanitation, and waste entrepreneurship across Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq through start-up incubation, training, and bilingual Arabic-English knowledge tools, funded primarily by SDC.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CEWAS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Sanitation Entrepreneurship Training
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)
Keywords
Where CEWAS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amman
- HQ country
- Jordan
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices3 records
Markets served
CEWAS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donor / Development Funding: CEWAS Middle East is a non-profit entity funded primarily by international development donors. The primary disclosed funder is the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which funds multiple country programmes and training activities. No revenue from product or service sales is described. All major activities — training, incubation, hackathons — are supported by donor funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free training with scholarships available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
CEWAS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEWAS Middle East runs structured start-up incubation programmes and capacity-building trainings that help aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals launch sustainable businesses in water, sanitation, and waste management across the Middle East. It complements these programmes with a portfolio of bilingual knowledge resources (SSWM Toolbox, SSWM in Humanitarian Crises Toolbox, Integrity Management Toolbox, Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies) and short technical workshops on design thinking, resource recovery, and humanitarian WASH response.
Product overview
CEWAS Middle East offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services focused on water, sanitation, and waste entrepreneurship in the Middle East region. The core offering is the Start-up Programme, a structured training and coaching initiative consisting of four modules (Solutions & Strategy, Market Research, Marketing & Finance, Pitching & Networking) supported by individual coaching and community networking. Alongside this, CEWAS provides specialized knowledge tools including the SSWM Toolbox (sustainable sanitation and water management knowledge platform), the SSWM in Humanitarian Crises Toolbox (170+ bilingual factsheets for crisis contexts), the Integrity Management Toolbox (water sector integrity solutions), and the Arabic-translated Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. Training services include SSWM Training courses, Design Thinking workshops, and RRR Entrepreneurship courses. Additional programs include the SuSanA WANA Chapter community platform, The Urinal Project humanitarian solution, Blue Peace Media Lab, Eco-Innovation Hackathons, and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development initiatives. The organization operates country-specific programs in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SuSanA WANA Chapter: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance West Asia and North Africa regional chapter, providing Arabic-language resources and training materials for sustainable sanitation sector
Products and services
- Start-up Programme A multi-module business development training and coaching programme for aspiring entrepreneurs in the water, sanitation, and waste sectors, consisting of four training modules (Solutions & Strategy Development, Market Research & Testing, Marketing & Finance, and Pitching & Networking) plus individual coaching, networking, and access to seed funding of up to $15,000 USD.
- SSWM Toolbox
Quantifiable outcome
- 35 start-ups successfully trained and graduated from Jordan programmes (2017–2019)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CEWAS
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CEWAS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CEWAS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BerytechcoreBerytech is a Lebanese innovation and entrepreneurship organisation. CEWAS Middle East partners with Berytech in Lebanon to deliver the start-up programme alongside Fondation Diane. Berytech provides the incubation infrastructure, mentorship, and network access.
- Fondation DianecoreCEWAS Middle East works together with Fondation Diane and Berytech to deliver the Lebanon start-up programme, with generous funding from SDC.
- INJAZcoreCEWAS Middle East partners with INJAZ Jordan to deliver the Green Incubation Programme 2019-2020, targeting entrepreneurs with innovative environmental business ideas.
- Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA)coreCEWAS Middle East conceptualised and initiated the SuSanA Regional Chapter for West Asia and North Africa (WANA), strengthening capacities of organisations and individuals in sustainable sanitation. CEWAS Middle East develops and manages the regional chapter.
- BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association)coreBORDA is a long-term partner in Iraq activities, including the 'Innovating water, sanitation and waste solutions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq' programme. BORDA also co-develops training materials and implements SSWM training in Iraq alongside CEWAS Middle East.
- German Toilet Organization (GTO)minorGTO partnered with CEWAS Middle East and GIZ for the 'SSWM in Fragile Contexts Training' in Jordan in October 2017, providing technical expertise on sanitation solutions.
- Field ReadyminorField Ready (Erbil Makerspace) partnered with CEWAS Middle East for the Eco-Innovation Hackathon in Iraq (July 2019), contributing maker/innovation lab infrastructure and expertise.
- Iraq Response Innovation LabminorPartnered with CEWAS Middle East for the Eco-Innovation Hackathon in Iraq (July 2019) to bring humanitarian innovation expertise to water and sanitation entrepreneurs.
- Re:CodedminorRe:Coded participated as a partner in the Eco-Innovation Hackathon in Iraq (July 2019), contributing technology and innovation expertise.
- University of Kurdistan HewlêrcoreUniversity of Kurdistan Hewlêr partnered with CEWAS Middle East for the Eco-Innovation Hackathon in Iraq (July 2019) and is part of the long-term capacity strengthening programme in the Kurdistan Region.
- An-Najah National UniversitycoreCEWAS Middle East partnered with An-Najah National University (Nablus, Palestine) to offer the Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) Entrepreneurship course, training lecturers and students in January 2019.
- University of BalamandcoreThe University of Balamand (Lebanon) partnered with CEWAS Middle East to deliver the SSWM ToT Workshop on Sanitation Systems and Technologies in December 2018, integrating WASH training into university programming.
- Water Integrity NetworkcoreThe Integrity Management Toolbox was co-developed by CEWAS and the Water Integrity Network to support water sector organisations in reducing corruption risks and improving performance through strategic integrity management.
- seecon international GmbHcoreseecon international GmbH (Switzerland) is closely affiliated with CEWAS. Dr. Johannes Heeb, seecon's executive director, is co-director of CEWAS and a core member of the Mentor Network. seecon provides senior leadership and content expertise.
- Columbia UniversityminorColumbia University collaborated with CEWAS Middle East and EcoDesign Labs to deliver the first Environmental Design Thinking Workshop in Amman, Jordan (August 2019), with support from INJAZ.
- EcoDesign LabsminorEcoDesign Labs partnered with CEWAS Middle East and Columbia University to design and deliver the Environmental Design Thinking Workshop in Amman, Jordan (August 2019).
- pS-EauminorpS-Eau partnered with CEWAS Middle East to deliver the 'Innovation in SSWM' workshop in Beirut, Lebanon (March 2018), funded by SDC.
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag)coreEawag developed the Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies, which CEWAS Middle East translated into Arabic to make it accessible to Arabic-speaking practitioners across the region. The Compendium is a foundational resource for CEWAS training programmes.
- BuildPalestineminorCEWAS Middle East partnered with BuildPalestine to launch the 'Social Entrepreneurship Series' in 2018, a monthly educational series on social entrepreneurship topics in Palestine.
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI)coreThe Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) Entrepreneurship course was developed by researchers at IWMI and CEWAS, drawing on IWMI's publication 'Resource Recovery from Waste: Business Models for Energy, Nutrient and Water Reuse in Low- and Middle-Income Countries'.
- LEWAPminorCEWAS Middle East partnered with LEWAP (Lebanon Environment and Water Assets Platform) to deliver the 'Practical Project Design in SSWM' workshop in Lebanon (October 2018).
- WASH Cluster IraqminorThe WASH Cluster Iraq partnered with CEWAS Middle East and BORDA to deliver SSWM training courses in Baghdad (2018, 2019), Erbil (2019), and Mosul (2018), providing sector coordination and humanitarian expertise.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CEWAS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- INJAZ: Regional non-profit focused on youth entrepreneurship and workforce development in Jordan and the MENA region. Partners with CEWAS Middle East on the Green Incubation Programme, making it a directly comparable entrepreneurship support organisation serving the same founder segments.
- Water Integrity Network (WIN): Co-developer with CEWAS of the Integrity Management Toolbox and a global network focused on integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption in the water sector. Directly comparable as a water-sector knowledge and capacity-building network.
- BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association): Long-term CEWAS partner in Iraq activities and co-implementer of SSWM training and water/sanitation programmes in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Comparable as a WASH-focused implementation organisation working in similar geographies and humanitarian contexts.
- Berytech: Lebanese innovation and entrepreneurship incubator that co-delivers CEWAS's Lebanon start-up programme. Directly comparable as a regional start-up support organisation providing incubation infrastructure, mentorship, and network access to entrepreneurs in the Middle East.
Broad incumbents
- SuSanA (Sustainable Sanitation Alliance): International network for sustainable sanitation, of which CEWAS Middle East conceptualised and runs the WANA regional chapter. Directly comparable as a sector-specific knowledge and community network serving WASH practitioners.
- IWMI (International Water Management Institute): Research-for-development organisation that co-developed the Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) Entrepreneurship course with CEWAS. Comparable as a CGIAR-affiliated water and resource management research institution operating globally with strong developing-country programmes.
- GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German development agency and CEWAS partner that co-funded the SSWM in Humanitarian Crises Toolbox and supported SSWM in Fragile Contexts training in Jordan. Comparable as a major international development donor and programme implementer in WASH and humanitarian contexts.
- Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology): Developed the Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies, which CEWAS Middle East translated into Arabic. Comparable as a leading research and knowledge institution in water and sanitation that produces foundational WASH content.
- cewas International: Swiss-based parent organisation of CEWAS Middle East that operates the Sanitation and Water Entrepreneurship Pact and runs the global cewas programmes. It is the parent entity and operates a broader global footprint with similar WASH entrepreneurship programming.
Regional players
- Endeavor Jordan: Jordan-based branch of Endeavor, a global high-impact entrepreneurship support organisation supporting founders across MENA. Comparable as a regional entrepreneurship support and mentorship organisation with similar founder-segment focus but broader sector coverage.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CEWAS social profiles
Digital presenceCEWAS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CEWAS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
CEWAS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CEWAS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CEWAS
What does CEWAS do?
CEWAS Middle East runs structured start-up incubation programmes and capacity-building trainings that help aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals launch sustainable businesses in water, sanitation, and waste management across the Middle East. It complements these programmes with a portfolio of bilingual knowledge resources (SSWM Toolbox, SSWM in Humanitarian Crises Toolbox, Integrity Management Toolbox, Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies) and short technical workshops on design thinking, resource recovery, and humanitarian WASH response.
Is CEWAS a public or private company?
CEWAS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CEWAS founded?
CEWAS was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CEWAS based?
CEWAS is headquartered in Amman, Jordan, in the Middle East region.
How does CEWAS make money?
One revenue line is on record: donor / Development Funding.
Who are CEWAS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are INJAZ, Water Integrity Network (WIN), BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association) and Berytech. Broad incumbents are SuSanA (Sustainable Sanitation Alliance), IWMI (International Water Management Institute), GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology) and cewas International. Endeavor Jordan is listed as a regional player.
Does CEWAS have an API?
No public API is recorded for CEWAS.
What industry is CEWAS in?
CEWAS's product category is Water and Sanitation Entrepreneurship Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAC, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), with a secondary code of BPADALAM, Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 4950.